That was an excellent one.

It is a performances centric movie

Fresh and Exciting

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

Widowed construction czar keeps her three grown sons (one a husband and father, another recently engaged, and the third a cross-dresser) squirming under her thumb--but on the anniversary of her marriage to their father, the daughter-in-law and the fiancée attempt to trump the queen bee. Well-produced and directed adaptation of Bill MacIlwraith's play is predictably stagy but also quite lively, with claws out. Bette Davis (in an eyepatch!) was poised to tear down the scenery in the leading role, yet she's more than just a camp monstrosity here. One would be hard-pressed to say that Davis brings dimension and shading to her domineering tyrant, however she does give us a maniacally clever, tightly-wound woman, and it's a memorable portrait. The supporting cast is equally good, and some of the dialogue has bite, however these selfish, repulsive people eventually wear out their welcome. ** from ****

The Anniversary was made at a time where Hammer took a break from monsters and Gothic horrors, and a good example of Hammer excelling at doing something different from what they usually do.On the most part, it is a very good film, and at its best great. It occasionally gets a little too theatrical and stagy, and the ending makes most wish that such a monstrous character got what she deserved, it just felt too convenient.It is very well-made though, with Harry Waxman's excellent cinematography with lush use of colour being one of the best things about the film, and costumes and sets suitable for both stage and film and in a way that fit with the atmosphere well. The music refrains from being too melodramatic, and matches the fun and scary factors just fine. The Anniversary is very well scripted by Jimmy Sangster, with some bleakly funny moments and lots of chilling scares while not being afraid in giving the film some nuances, and expertly directed by Roy Ward Baker. The story is not always perfectly executed, but on the most part it is interesting and has some intelligently done conflicts and a good atmosphere. Plays don't always translate well into films, but The Anniversary does, even if you can tell where it came from.Bette Davis has never had a more monstrous character, and she sinks her teeth into the role and easily is the one that makes the film. Her performance is chillingly vicious and dominates the film brilliantly. She is well-supported by Sheila Hancock, Jack Hedley and particularly James Cossins, who while nowhere near in the same ball-park as Davis still more than hold their own against her.All in all, a very good and well done film, that is worth watching for the cinematography and especially Davis' performance. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Anniversary, The (1968) ** (out of 4) Bette Davis made her second and final appearance in a Hammer film with this dark comedy that certainly gives the actress a memorable role. In the film she plays a mother from hell who invites her sons and their families back to her mansion to celebrate her wedding anniversary. Once the sons get there, mommy goes to work by ruining their relationships with their women and really sets her eyes on her youngest son's fiancé (Elaine Taylor). This black comedy has a lot going for it except the laughs. I really found most of the humor to be too dry to really work and in the end I can't help but be disappointed in this film even though we get Davis eating as much scenery as anytime in her career. Whether she's wearing her red or black eye-patch, she gives it her all in creating a woman you can't help but hate not only because of how mean she is but because of how cocky, arrogant and just downright vicious she is. Davis chews up one scene after another and really controls and punishes the rest of the actors in her way. The only one of the supporting cast that really stands a chance is Taylor who is quite easy on the eyes and comes off pretty good. Her character is the one who fights back at Davis and the young actress makes you believe her toughness. The screenplay is fairly straight in terms of it trying to get humor. There's really no slapstick or any physical laughs but instead it's mostly dialogue driven. The dialogue itself isn't the greatest and a lot of it focuses on meanness rather than anything else. One of the sons enjoys dressing in women's clothing, which is another easy gag that never really provides any laughs.

This is probably one of the all-time BEST performances by Bette Davis you will ever see. As I understand it, this is not easy to find and if you are a true Bette Davis fan, you simply MUST have this! The simple plot revolves around Ms Taggert's (Bette Davis) yearly tradition of celebrating her wedding anniversary even though her husband has been dead quite some time. Not only does she insist on commemorating the occasion but DEMANDS that her sons, ALL of whom have their own issues with Mother Dear, attend along with their respective families. Then Bette proceeds to tear into them unmercifully because she knows they will put up with it all for the sake of good ol' moola! Knowing this, Bette pulls no punches and delivers one of the funniest, most brutal, scathing, lowdown, and over-the-top CLASSIC performances in film history.This is vintage Bette. Trust me. No Bull. You simply MUST see this! It is just a stitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!